EMPIRE DAY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13741, 24 May 1910, Page 6

EMPIRE DAY.

To-day is the saddest Empire Day in the history of the festival. Flags aro at full mast again, aud lifo runs in the old grooves, but tho hearts of the people are still in the shadow of hercavement. It is impossible, with tho sound of funeral guns still in our ears, for Britons to think of Empire Day and celebrate it as thoy havo done in the past. But all over the Empiro, whether there aro celebrations or not, men will think about the past and the future, our Imperial heritage and our destiny, moro deeply and reverently, because of the loss we havo sustained. Just as private bereavement often purifies and exalts, so public sorrow tends to purge patriotism of its grosser elements, and quicken the sense of national and Imperial responsibility. No good citizen will fail to reflect that the great King who has just passed away was an Imperialist of the? best type, and that in the exercise of his kingly power and influence, he was ever mindful of the Empire's interests. Quietly but effectively King Edward took advantage of every opportunity, not only to strengthen England's position in the world, but to shorten and strengthen the links between tho Dominions and the Motherland. The growth of the Empire Day movement is a measure of the growth of Imperial Bontiment during his reign. The movement for closer union and a better mutual understanding had begun before be came to the throne, but its development was greatly accelerated Jur ins the nine years of his rule. In fact it is astonishing to look back a few years and see the advance that hns been made towards the realisation >f ideals that not so long ago were regarded as quite visionary. Each year finds the parts of the Empire more firmly united than ever before.. Higher ideals prevail, and colonies and Motherland regard each other with warmer feelings of affection. Empire Day in the future will commemorate the short but richly eventful reign, of a great

King as well as the long and incomparable reign of a great Queen. The death of King Edward reinforces die arguments iv favour of this Dominion coming into line with the rest of the Empire in celebrating, unitedly and Sincerely, May 24th as a great Imperial festival.